It is a defeat that will rankle long after the series is over and England return to their shores. The fact that South Africa held the upper hand for most periods of the Test at the Wanderers only to short-change themselves with an exceptionally bizarre performance that belied their 'toughening-up' in recent times and undermined the efforts by coach Ray Jennings.

Graeme Smith certainly has every right to feel aggrieved. A nasty blow inflicted by his coach prior to the start of the fourth day's play left the South African skipper dizzy and he was advised to stay away from the field. But the state of affairs as play got underway on day five left him dizzier! Despite the advice, Smith battled the advantage conceded by his batsmen and fought desperately with the lower order, but all in vain as England walked away at Johannesburg with an unlikely win and crucial series lead.

The series has itself been a see-saw affair with both teams evenly matched in tenacity as well as revealing mental lapses and allowing the other team to claw right back in. The calibre of the sides may not match the professionalism of the Australians, but it has surely been been exhilarating to watch them in action.

With the final Test at Centurion in three days' time, Graeme Smith's anger could well infuse a sense of urgency and greater purposefulness in his wards. That is exactly what the hosts need if they are to avoid a humiliating series loss to England at home. Three days is too short a period to regroup after a script gone horrendously wrong. Despite the loss, Graeme Smith can do little with the shoddy performance of the middle-order batsmen. The line-up in the fourth Test appeared much more balanced, and what is needed is some time to introspect, a tough brainstorming session, which given Smith's persona, will not go unattended.

England were handed victory on a silver platter, considering half their bowling attack was practically limping as the Test wore on. The plaudits for the win should definitely go to Matthew Hoggard, who toiled as hard as he always has and much to any captain's delight, wore down the opposition single-handedly with persistent accuracy. His intimidation is not so much about verbal duels or body language, but the sheer perseverance that gives the batsmen little leeway. The Wanderers Test may be well be labelled the Matthew Hoggard Test.

Despite the windfall, England still have to fight another five days to prevent South Africa from crawling back to a two-all draw, a tough ask considering the bowling arsenal is reading a little low with little time for recuperation for the bowlers who really appeared absolutely weary. England need super-chargers to carry on their good run from 2004. For South Africa, the Test at Centurion will be as much about drawing the series, a situation that seemed far from it on the morning of day five, as much as it will be about restoring some sanity to the mayhem of a horrible afternoon.